Pressure operated applicator and cap construction



Dec. 24, 1968 G. SCHWARTZMAN 3,418,055

PRESSURE OPERATED APPLICATOR AND CAP CONSTRUCTION Filed April 5, 1967 f' 22 72 .124 ii FIG: 4

52 1 4; FIG. W 6% .Q f6 Z 32 M FIG. 5

INVENTOR- 86 lbw/4 22 1044 United States Patent 3,418,055 PRESSURE OPERATED APPLICATOR AND CAP CONSTRUCTION Gilbert Schwartzman, 20 Wilmot Circle, Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583 Filed Apr. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 628,045 6 Claims. (Cl. 401206) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An applicator comprising a container for fluid and provided with a novel arrangement including an applicator head and a cap for initially providing a seal for the container, which cap carries the applicator head therein so that upon removal of the cap, the applicator head can be subsequently fastened on the neck of the container for use in applying various fluids. The applicator head includes a retaining ring provided with a web that has a stud integral with and rising therefrom which web engages a fabric cover so that upon depression of the cover a helical slit in the web may be opened by distortion of the web.

This invention relates to a pressure operated applicator and a cap construction therefor and has for its primary object the provision of an inexpensive closure for a container which affords a positive seal so as to reduce loss from evaporation and increase shelf life.

The construction of this invention features the use of a cap that is provided with a compartment for receiving an applicator for supporting the applicator in a convenient readily available and readily visible manner while also providing for a positive seal of the contents of the container until ready for initial use.

Various types of medications, shoe polish, nail polish removers, cosmetics, cleaning fluids and the like are subject to evaporation with the accompanying loss of contents when subjected to extended shelf life. The concept of this invention allows for the sealing of a container with a suitable cap yet which permits for a conveniently installed applicator for use in conveniently applying the fluid from the container.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of an applicator wherein a web is formed as a part of the retaining ring which may have initially therein a frangible slit of helical shape, while upon initial actuation thereof the web is deformed forming a suitable helical shaped slot for permitting fluid to pass therethrough.

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of a pressure operated applicator and accompanying cap construction that is capable of being manufactured out of readily available materials by molding processes which allow for mass production at a relatively low cost, and which is eflicient and effective in use.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention, which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this pressure operator applicator and cap construction, preferred embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, by way of example only, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded vertical sectional view of an embodiment of the invention in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the plane of line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional detail view showing the applicator mounted on the neck of the container;

FIG. 4 is an assembled vertical sectional view of a modified embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a further modified form of applicator as applied on the neck of the container after the cap has been removed and,

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view showing the modified form of the invention in use.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views and with initial attention directed to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, reference numeral 10 generally designates a container having a neck 12 which is provided with a lower externally threaded portion 14 and an upwardly and outwardly extending flange portion 16. The flange 16 is inwardly disposed relative to the threaded portion 14. A cap generally indicated by reference numeral 20 is provided. The cap has a web 22 integrally formed therewith dividing the cap 20 into an upper chamber 24 and a lower chamber 26. The lower chamber has internal threads 28 complementary to the threaded portion 14 also provided with an annular recess 30 to accommodate the flange 16.

The applicator head 32 includes a retaining ring 34 having a projecting portion 36 designed to be snap fitted over the flange 16 as can be best seen in FIG. 3. The projecting portion has a downwardly and inwardly extending flange 38 adapted to clampingly engage the flange 36. Integrally formed with the retaining ring 34 is a web 40. The web is provided with a helical slit 42 therein which starts at the base of an upwardly extending stud 44 integrally formed with the web and has a dome shaped upper surface 46. The web 40 may be imperforate since the slit 42 may be in the form of a weakening frangible cut which does not extend all the way through the web but upon depression of the stud 44 will permit deformation of the web and provide the opening through which fluid can pass as shown in FIG. 6. On the other hand, the slit 42 can be initially cut all the way through.

A cover 48 provided with a mohair outer surface 50 is preferably held in place by flange 52 which is swaged as can be best seen in FIG. 1 so as to be stretched tautly over the dome-shaped upper surface 46 of the stud 44 and thereby provides for convenient application of fluid passing through the slit 42 and onto the under surface of the cover 48.

In FIG. 4 there is shown a modified form of the invention where in lieu of the flanges 16 and 38, a peripheral tongue is formed on an upright flange 72 and the projecting portion 74 is provided with a groove 76 complementary to the rib or tongue 70 so that the applicator head can be secured in a snap-in manner on the neck of the container. In FIG. 5 there is shown a further modification wherein the flange 80 is provided with external threads 82 while the projecting portion 84 of the retaining ring is provided with internal threads 86.

In use, the cap 20 is threadly secured over the neck of the container so as to seal the container. An imperforate membrane is secured by heat sealing or adhesive sealing to the upper surface 92 of the cap 20 with the applicator head 32 disposed in the upper compartment 24 of the cap. Then, the container with the fluid therein may be stored in any convenient manner as for container sales or the like. When it is desired to utilize the contents of the container, the cap is removed, the membrane 90 removably stripped away and the applicator head 34 is snapped in place or threadedly secured in place, after which the container with the applicator head disposed thereon may be overturned and applied on any surface. Upon any pressure being placed on the cover 48, the web 40 will be distorted allowing fluid to flow in the direction of arrows as shown in FIG. 6.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

I claim:

1. An applicator comprising a container for a fluid, said container having a neck, said neck having an externally threaded portion and having an open end provided with a flange of less diameter than said threaded portion, a retainer ring, means on said retainer ring and said flange for detachably connecting said retainer ring to said flange, a web extending transversely of said retainer ring, a stud integral with and rising from the center of said web, said web being provided with a helical slit therein starting adjacent said stud, a flange rising from said retainer ring, a porous fabric cover secured to said flange and spaced above said web and stetched tautly over said stud so that said cover is substantially dome shaped and so that upon depression of said cover said stud is depressed distorting said web to form a slot for permitting fluid flow therethrough a cap having a lower end threadedly secured to said container, said cap being provided with an imperforate partition forming an upper chamber with said partition extending across and engaging said flange sealing said open end, said retainer ring being disposed in said chamber and an imperforate frangible membrane closing said upper chamber.

2. An applicator according to claim 1, said cover having an outer mohair surfacing.

3. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the upper end of said stud is dome shaped.

4. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein said flange is threaded, said retainer ring being threadedly secured on said flanges.

5. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein said retainer ring is snap fitted over said flange.

6. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein said flange extends angularly upwardly and outwardly, said retainer ring being snap fitted over said flange.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,054,950 3/1913 Urbanek 401-205 1,505,442 8/ 1924 Stephens 222-490 XR 1,959,774 5/1934 Walsh 401-264 2,720,881 10/1955 Jones 222-490 XR 2,755,952 7/1956 Ringen 222-490 XR 3,046,593 7/1962 Goldman et al. 401-202 3,203,026 7/ 1965 Schwartzman 401-206 3,307,819 3/1967 Cocito 137-5253 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 1,302,711 7/ 1962 France.

US. Cl. X.R. 222-490, 538, 542; 251-331 

